DECA chapters thrive at State Conference

The Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) chapters from Dysart Unified School District’s four high schools competed in the Arizona DECA State Career Development Conference in Phoenix this past month. Students had the opportunity to network with over 2,200 peers from around the state while competing in one of 50 unique business competitions. Additionally, students also had the opportunity to visit with Arizona’s top colleges, top businesses, and learn first-hand how to be ready at any level, for any career. 

Willow Canyon High School received Gold Certification in Retail Operations and Gold Recertification in Food Operations for their School Based Enterprise (SBE). Willow Canyon students Braxton Vinson and Ryan Carter also received fifth place in Team Decision Making, Entrepreneurship. 

Dysart High School received the State Affiliation Chapter Award, Gold Diamond Society Award, and the Gold School Based Enterprise Recertification Award. Several students were also finalists in their events and received a top 10% medal for their written exams including Clayton Williams (Principles of Hospitality and Tourism), Servando Lopez (Food Marketing Services), and Lorenzo Roman (Business Administration and Management). Dawn Jones and Lorenzo Roman also placed fourth in the state in Team Business Law and Ethics, and have qualified to attend the International Conference. 

Shadow Ridge High School had nine students place in their events, with several more students receiving test medals. Stephen MacKellar, Jamie Springer, Noah Axelson, Kloey Garcia, and Lily McDaniel received first place in their events with Stephen MacKellar and Jamie Springer also placing first overall. Additionally, Meghan Crisan placed second overall, and Krystina Dunham placed fourth overall. Shadow Ridge also received SBE Gold Certification, and have qualified to send several students to the International Conference. 

Valley Vista High School had seven students compete and received Bronze in the Chapter Community Service Competition and received the DECA Rising Star Award. 

The DECA International Career Development Conference will take place April 23-26, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. 

DECA is a premier student organization that supports the development of marketing and management skills in career areas such as hospitality, finance, sales and service, business administration, and entrepreneurship.  DECA is one of the many Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities offered to prepare students for the academic and vocational skills necessary to successfully enter the workforce. Learn more at dysart.org/cte.